REDDITCH people are invited to remember a loved one with this year’s Poppy Appeal – and be part of a public art piece at the same time.
As part of the Poppy Appeal 2017 launched yesterday (Thursday) at St. Stephens Church. the Royal British Legion have knitted 500 poppies which are available to pick up from The Christian Word Bookshop at the church in exchange for a donation.
People can add the name of the person being remembered to the tag and then tie the poppy to the designated tree of remembrance on Church Green. It is hoped that people will eventually create a cascade of poppies in memory of those who gave their lives.
The poppy and the work of the Legion are often associated with the First and Second World Wars and elderly veterans, however the charity is calling on the public to reconsider what the poppy stands for and wear it in support of the Armed Forces community, past and present.
Gerry Marsden, Poppy Organiser for Redditch said: “When you wear your poppy this year, we’re asking to you think of all the many and unexpected ways the Legion uses your donation to support the Armed Forces community. Veterans, Serving personnel and their families live in communities all across the UK, and the Legion’s work is happening all around you.”
This year Poppy Organisers in Redditch are hoping to raise £35,000 to go towards the Legion’s national target of £47 million, which helps the charity continue its vital work delivering practical help, through life care and support to the Armed Forces community.
Rev’d Paul Lawlor of St. Stephens Church said: “The memorial outside St Stephen’s is a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of our service men and women. It’s a privilege to be a focus of our remembrance each year and we are delighted about the innovations this year.”
The Legion helps by providing crisis grants, researching the long lasting impact of blast injuries on the body, lobbying the government on issues that affect our community, sport and art based recovery programmes and advising on benefits and money problems.
